Buzz Break: 2016 Panini Torque NASCAR cards (blaster box)

From time to time, Buzz will break a box of something and post the results here. Like this and want to see more? Or maybe there’s a box you’d want to see busted? Send Buzz an email at BlowoutBuzz@blowoutcards.com.

The box: 2016 Panini Torque NASCAR cards (blaster box)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com

Packs per box: 1
Cards per pack: 8
Cards in this box: 8
Base set completion: 
4 of 100 (4 percent)
Duplicates: 0

Base cards – Joey Logano, Matt Kenseth, Kurt Busch, John Wes Townley

Insert cards: 3 (gallery below)
Gold parallel (1) – Danica Patrick
Shades (1) – Danica Patrick
Winning Vision (1) – Tony Stewart

Autographs/Memorabilia: 1
Dual Materials (1) – Ryan Reed (/299)

What’s Buzz-worthy: This was Buzz’s first look at anything NASCAR this year and it wasn’t what this collector expected. Maybe it’s the black-bordered design and it’s definitely in part due to photography limitations (there are only so many options for NASCAR — studio shots, car shots, out-of-car shots) but this one just didn’t capture the energy and color of the sport for me. Maybe it was just the fact that this is a one-pack box but it just felt flat. NASCAR memorabilia pieces can have plenty of interesting looks but the dual here was a black firesuit and a textured black tire piece for a driver I wasn’t familiar with. The acetate insert was a plus in the pack but the rest was a bit repetitive. Visually only the Shades insert card really had much going on. The rest were pretty standard. Perhaps this dark and subdued look is intentional — or maybe it resonates better with more packs in a hobby box and a better mix of talents — but this box felt like it was stuck in a lower gear. Yours should be better. A hit per box is a plus but it does feel like there could be more cardboard (a couple more packs?) to help bolster the feel of a box. If you’re interested in this one for sure, rip a hobby box for the full experience. If you’re not sure, try a blaster or two.

Product Grade: B
Box Grade: C
Fun Grade: C

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